This would be a more important answer than any of the above comments. How do you search thoroughly. Everything I find seems fake or expensive.eBay, you can get anything for dirt cheap if you know how to search thoroughly.
I had a seized sump plug on My even older Mondeo. I just bought another sump & plug for £20. Job done.
No gasket needed?
I solved the problem of my front door not unlocking by only using the side door. Not exactly solving it, is it?Haha motors at it's best
So after topping up the coolant in a different way because I couldn't get the lid off, which took 3 years to get the the low level, I should now go out and buy a replacement tank, and fit the tank.. When the problem is already solved??
It's quite telling how the same level of scorn isn't being directed at me about not replacing the oil drain plug.. Pick an easy target and stick with it
not true .. 13 years isn't old, but at 2x that, parts on ebay can be unavailable or exhorbitant, at breakers too, so you have to DIY.eBay, you can get anything for dirt cheap if you know how to search thoroughly.
not true .. 13 years isn't old, but at 2x that, parts on ebay can be unavailable or exhorbitant, at breakers too, so you have to DIY.
... had had a slip ring that was knack'd, so moved the horn to the windscreen wash arm, which I moved to a new switch on the dash.
if you had the space buying a complete donor car would sometimes be cheaper
... had had a slip ring that was knack'd, so moved the horn to the windscreen wash arm, which I moved to a new switch on the dash.
Hi motors
The GFs 13 year old Astra needs a bit more nursing and this got me thinking.. If I share the ways I've managed to keep the car on the road without breaking the bank, maybe others could share their knowledge by adding their clever fixes. Just to clarify, I'm talking actual repairs, not sawdust in the gearbox type bodges just to enable a quick sale, but having said that I'd also be interested to hear about any roadside brainwaves people have had to enable them to continue their journey, pending a more permanent repair.
Back to the Astra:
Just about to head home from a weekend down in Torquay and there was suddenly a terrible rattling sound..
Problem: Exhaust backbox heatshield had corroded away at the fixing points and was wedged between the backbox and the floorpan of the boot.
Solution: Bought pliers, screwdriver and a can of coke from a one of those discount shops for less than a fiver. Fashioned the base of the can into a large cup washer and used the middle fixing point to support the heatshield. Drove home without so much as a rattle and fixed it permanently at home with proper washers front and rear.
Problem: Oil sump drain plug seized.
Solution: Bought a neat little 12v pump from Germany online for £18 that allows the oil to be pumped out via the dipstick hole. Also the oil filter is high up on the front of the engine so oil changes couldn't be easier now! 4 oil changes on and the pump is going strong.
Problem: Coolant expansion tank filler cap stuck on. It can be loosened when engine warm and gases escape but can't be removed, it's jammed on.
Solution: remove both hoses at the radiator that lead from the expansion tank (feed and return) and secure above the level of the expansion tank. With a little funnel inserted in one of the pipes, top up the coolant while the other pipe acts as a breather. Then reattach the pipes to the radiator.
The GF loves this little car (I know, it's an old Astra), no doubt something uneconomic to repair will come along, but until then it'll be pumps, funnels and whatever else I can think up.
Please share your clever fixes.
Cool story. Instead, next time, rip it off. It's over engineering at it's best and isn't an MOT failure. Save £4.99
Use a breaker bar. Save £18
Coolant shouldn't ever need to be touched in a modern (even 13 year old) Astra. If it's dropping low, investigate the actual cause rather than wasting time on bodge fixes.
I'd question the method of draining the oil via the dipstick.
Over time, oil with tend to collect heavier metal shavings and particle from metal on metal interaction.
Part of the benefit of a sump is that the particles will normally fall to the bottom of the sump and are washed out when you empty the sump.
If you pump out the oil via the dipstick, I can't help but think that you'll probably leave most of the particles behind, which almost certainly result in additional wear for the engine.
I can't help but think that a new sump, breaker bar, or simply asking your local friendly indy to open up the oil sump plug would have been a better use of the £18.